Stacking machine



LGSGLZZB Aug. 7, 1928.

W. K. LIGGETT STACKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15. 1920 Aug. 7, 31928..

w. K. LIGGETT STACKING MACHINE /I T7016 N15 Y Aug. 7, E928. 1,680,223

w. K. LIGGETT STACKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR W ATTOR/VEY Aug. 7, 11928,

WITNESSES:

W. K. LIGGETT STACKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15. 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Y kwYET WILLIAM K. LIGGET'I, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, TUBING- OOMPANY, OFCOLUMBUS,

Patented Aug. 7, lQZ.

I meant ennui anion.

ASSIGNOR TO THE JEFFREY MANUFAC- OO, AOOBPORATION OF OHIO.

STACKING MACHINE;

Application filed December 15, 1920. Serial No. 481,007.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements instacking machines, and particularly to stacking machines adapted to thepiling of bags and similar packages upon docks and in warehouses and forsimilar urposes.

. The especial o ject is to provide a stacking machine of largecapacity, adapted both to the storage and reclaimin of packages,- whichis readily adjustab e to the ever chan ing conditions of service, andwhich may e conveniently moved from one working place to another.

Particularly is the development designed to give a compact arrangementof support, motor, conveyor frames, and conveying means so disposedrelative to one another that angular adjustment of the conveyors lrelative to each other and to the motor may be accomplished withoutinterfering with the driving connections between the conveyor and. themotor.-,; The arrangement of the parts is such that a single conveyingmeans willtake care of both convedvor frames, no

matterwhat their angular a ustment, with a'single drive element for theconveyor, and furthermore, provision is made for supplementing the mainconveyingmechanisms by the addition of units at one end or the other ofthe main machine so as to extend the range of the machine. I

A further object of the invention is to provide power operatin adjustingmeans for a conveyor frame, W ich may e operated from the motor toelevate or lower such frame with means independent of the operatingmechanism for sustaining, to some extent, the weight of the conveyorwhen elevated.

The devices by which I attain this object are fully set forth in thefollowing specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings ofwhich Fig. .1 is a side elevation of'a machine embodying my invention.Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken along the central lanesof the supporting truck, and showing the devices by which the machine isactuated and controlled.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the supportlng truck certain parts being brokenaway to reveal other parts.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken along the line VV of Fig. 3.

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary side views of the lower and upper endsrespectively of the conveyors, showing their relation to certainportable warehouse conveyors with which themachine is adapted to beused.

F g. 8 1s a fragmentary view of the reversmg gearing connected with thepropelling mechanism of the machine.

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken along the lines TXIX of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary. sectional view showing the method ofattachment of the conveyor flights to the conveyor chain.

Fig. 11 is a fragmenta versing gearing associate d mechanism of theconveyor.

Fi 12 is a longitudinal sectional'view of the riving shaft associatedwith the conveyor adjusting mechanism.

Like numerals refer to similar parts in the several figures.

As shown in the drawings my improved stacking machine comprises anelongated conveyor which is supported in forwardly and rearwardlyextending frames pivotally mounted upon horizontal axes on an automobiletruck. Either end of the conveyor may be adjusted to various. inclinedpositions to adapt the machine to varying conditions of service, theforwardly extending section being adjustable to conveniently re ceive ordisc arge material at points near the ground, while the rearwardlyextending section is adjustable through a wide range of with the drivingelevations to discharge packages upon, or

receive packages from storage piles of various heights.

The conveyor is of the well known apron type consisting of a pair ofparallel endless chains 1 between whichv extend the carrier flights 2composed of lengths of steel channel bars which are secured to lateralextensions bf the chain links by suitable bolts 3 in the manner wellunderstood in the conveyor art. The above described conveyor is arrangedto travel longitudinally of the supporting frames 4 and 5 which arepivotally attached to the automobile truck 6 by the horizontal pivotshafts 7 and 8 respectively.

The forwardly extending conveyor sup porting frame 4 is formed ofsuitable structural steel shapes joined in the customary manner to forma rigid structure, and combars 9 upon which the upper stran of t eprises the longitudinally extendin an le conveyor chain travels, and thesimilar angle bars'flO which protect the chains 1 from contact fivithoverhanging packages being transpor ed upon the conveyor. Means isprovided i it the adjustment screw 11 to rotate the fra 'c 4 about itssupporting pivot 8 to adjust he forward end of the conveyor relatlve tothe ground.

The rearwardly extending conveyor supporting frame is formed of suitablestructural steel shapes joined in the customary manner to form a rigidframe and comprises the longitudinally extending angle bars 9 uponwhichthe chains 1 travel, and the similar angle bars 10 which protect thechains from contact with overhanging packages being transported upon theconveyor.

sills 14 and intermediate sills 15 formed of suitable channel bars. Tothe rearward ends of said intermediate sills is attached the upwardlyextending channel bar 16. These members are braced together by thegusset plate 16 in the manner well understood by those skilled instructural steel construction. The sills 14 and 15 rest upon and arerigidly attached to a square axle bar 17 at the ends of which are formedspindles 18. Upon the spindles 18 are mounted the ground engagingtracti'on wheels 19 and 20 which support the weight of the rearward endof the machine.

To the channel bar 16 is attached a bracket casting 21 in which isformed, in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine, ajournal bearing 22. J ournaled in the hearing 22 is the spindle 23 ofthe wheel fork 24. To the lower ends of the arms of the wheel fork 24 issecured a spindle 25 upon which is journaled the ground engagingsteering wheel 26 upon which rests the weight of the forward part of themachine. Formed on the bracket casting 21 is a stop 27 adapted tocontact with the arms of the fork 24 to limit its rotation. A worm wheel28 attached to the spindle 23 is engaged by a worm 29 keyed to atransverse steering shaft 30. The shaft 30 is supported in suitablebearings of the bracket casting 21 and has at its outer end a hub 31having radially extending arms 32 adapted to be grasped by the hand ofthe operator to rotate the shaft 30. By the rotation of the shaft 30 thespindle 23 may be turned in its bearings, thereby turning the plane ofrotation of the ground wheel 26 to any desired angle with thelongitudinal lines of the machine, to

steer it in any preferred direction. The worm 29 and worm wheel 28 areof the nonoverhauling type and serve not only to turn the steering wheel26 but also to lock it in any preferred angular relation.

Mounted on the sills 14 and 15 is a self contained power transmissionmechanism having a frame comprising the side plate castings 33 and 34 inwhich are formed suitable journal bearings to support the several shaftsof the transmission mechanism. The frame castings 33 and 34 are held inspaced relation by the brace rod 35, secured in apertures of thecastings, and by the steel, shelf plate 36 upon which is mounted themotor 37 by which the machine is actuated. The motor 37 maybe of anypreferred type suitable to the conditions under which the machine isoperated. For purposes of illustration I have shown an internalcombustion engine the fuel supply devices and cooling mechanism of whichare not shown in the drawings since they form no part of the presentinvention. To the crank shaft of the engine 37 is secured a pinion 38which engages the master gear 39 keyed to the jack shaft 40.

The jack shaft 40 is journaled in the hearing 41 of the side frame 33,and in a sleeve 42 which is in fixed longitudinal relation with the jackshaft but is movable trans versely of the side frame. The sleeve 42 issupported in an aperture of the side frame 34 and is provided with screwthreads 43 which engage corresponding screw threads in the framecastings in such manner that rotation of the sleeve 42 will causelongitudinal movement of the jack shaft 40. A hand lever 44 is providedfor the convenient manipulation of the sleeve 42. Rotatably mounted uponthe jack shaft, and held against longitudinal movement by a journalbearing 45 attached to the frame of the machine, is a quill 46 at eachend of which are formed the female members of the multiple disk frictionclutches 47 and 48 respectively. The corresponding parts of the frictionclutch 47 are upon the hub of the master gear 39, and the correspondingparts of the frictzon clutch 48 are upon the hub of the spur gear 49which is mounted for free rotation upon the jack shaft 40. Keyed to thejack shaft 40 adjacent the spur gear 49 is a spur pinion 50 whichengages a spur gear 51 journaled upon the rod 35. To the gear 51 isattached a spur pinion 52 which engages the spur gear 49. When, by themanipulation of the hand lever 44, the jack shaft 40 is moved to theright, referring to Fig. 5 of the drawings, the friction clutch 47 willengage to connect the master gear 39 directly with the quill 46 to driveit. When the jack Inn shaft 40 is moved in the opposite direction quill46 with the gear 49. The quill 46 will then be driven from' the ackshaft 40 through the gears 49, 52, 51 and at a greatly reduced speed. Aspur gear 53 formed on the quill 46 is arranged to engage with certaindriving gears hereinafter more fully set forth.

Supported in suitable bearings 54 and 55 'of the transmission framecastings 33 and 34 is a driven shaft 56 which projects outside of themachine. Upon one end of the shaft 56, and extending through the journalbearings 55, is rotatably mounted a quill 57, and to the shaft 56 andthe quill 57 respectively are attached a pair of oppositely disposedsimilar bevel gears 58 and 59. The gears 58 and 59 are simultaneouslyengaged by a plurality of bevel pinions :60 carried by the ring gear 61,forming a differential drive of the type well known in the art. The ringgear 61 is engaged by a spur pinion 62 mounted for free rotation uponthe shaft 63 which is secured at both ends to the transmission framecastings. Attached to the pinion 62 is a spur gear 64 arranged to beconnected with the quill 46 through the reversing mechanism which willnow be described.

Upon the shaft 63 is a yoke casting 65 which carries two stud shafts 66and 67. Upon the stud shaft 66 is journaled a pinion 68 arranged toengage the spur gear 64, and upon the stud shaft 67 is mounted aslightly smaller spur pinion 69 which is arranged to engage the inion 68but to avoid engagement with t e spur gear 64. The stud shafts 66 and 67are so positioned relative to the shaft 63, and the relative diametersof the pinions 68 and 69 are such that when the yoke 65 is rotated aboutthe shaft 63 either of the pinions 68 or 69 may be brought intoengagement with the pinion 53. By. this arrangement of gearing the gearwheel 64 may be driven from the pinion 56 through the pinions 68 and 69in one direction, or through the pinion 68 alone in the oppositedirection. The yoke 65 is connected by a link 70 with an arm 71supported upon the driving shaft 56. Upon the outer end of the arm 71 isformed a gear segment 72 adapted to engage the pinion 73 attached to atransverse shaft 74. The shaft 74 projects through the transmissionframe at the side of the machine convenient to the hand of the operator,and is provided with an operating handle 75 by which said shaft may berotated. The operating handle 75 is provided with a latch 76 adapted toengage suitably positioned apertures in the frame casting to secure saidoperating handle in either of its positions of angular adjustment. Bythe manipulation of the operating handle 75 the yoke 65 may be rotatedabout its support to cause either of the pinions 68 or 69 to engage thepinion 53 and cause the reversal of the direction of rotation of thedrive shaft. Attached to the driving shaft 56, and to the uill extension57, outside of the frame of t e machine, are pinions 77 and 78, whichengage the ring gears 79 and 80 attached to the traction wheels 19 and20, and through which power is applied to propel the machine. By thearrangement of parts above described the machine may be propelled eitherforwardly or backwardly at relatively high or low speeds and thecontrolling devices are all arranged conveniently within the reach ofthe operator at one side of the machine. 80

'Mounted in the upper part of the truck frame, adjacent the pivot shafts7 and 8, are the transversely extending idler shafts 81 and 82 uponwhich are mounted the idler sprocket wheels 83 and 84 to support thelower runs of the conveyor chains l'above the power devices of themachine. The relation of the idler shafts 81 and 82 with the pivotshafts 7 and 8 is such that the maximum desirable rotation of theconveyor frames 4 and 5 about their respective pivots will produce nomaterial change in the tension of the conveyor chains 1. The chains 1are deflected downwardly over the idler sprocket wheels 83 and 84 toform the loops 85 about the conveyor driving sprocket wheels 86 toinsure satisfactory driving contact therewith. The driving sprocketwheels 86 are mounted upon a driving shaft 87 which is supported insuitable bearings at- W) tached to the machine frame but not shown inthe drawings. To the shaft 87 is fixed a spur gear 88 connectable with apinion 89 on the intermediate shaft 90 through a reversing mechanismsimilar to that described in connection with the traction devices. Theconveyor reversing mechanism comprises a yoke 91 which is pivoted uponthe intermediate shaft 90 and is arranged to be held in either of itsoperative positions by bolts 92 adapted to engage suitably disposedapertures in the side plates of the machine frame. In the yoke 91 arestud shafts upon which are journaled the pinions 93 and 94 so arrangedthat when the yoke r15 91 is in one of its operative positions powerwill be transmitted from the pinion 89 upon the intermediate shaft 90,through the pinion 93 to the gear 88 to drive the conveyor in adirection to transport ackages rearwardly along the conveyor. l Vhen theyoke 91 is in its other operative position power will be transmittedfrom the pinion 89 through the pinions 93 and 94 to the gear 88 to drivethe conveyor in a direction to transport packages forwardly along theconveyor. To the intermediate shaft 90 is fixed a sprocket wheel 95which is connected by an endless chain 96 with the sprocket wheel 97upon the jack shaft. The sprockr30 et wheel 97 is connectable with thejack shaft 40 through a multiple disk friction clutch 98 the controllinglever- 99 of which is o erable from the left hand side of the mac inethrough a pull rod 100 arranged convenient to the hand of the operator.

It will be seen that with the arrangement above described, a singleconveyor element, namely the chain 1, traverses the two conveyor frameswith driving connections at a point between and closely adjacent thepivotal mountings 7 and 8, so that ad ustment of the frames 4 and 5 maybe made without disarranging or interfering with the driving means.

The vertical adjustment of the rearwardly extending conveyor frame 5 iseffected through a mechanism associated with the strut 12. Attached tothe lower end of said strut is a cross head 101 provided with guiderollers 102 adapted to travel along the edges of an inclined guide railor track-way 103 formed of a suitable channel bar which is secured atboth ends to the frame work of the truck. Mounted adjacent to andparallel with the guide rail 103 is a screw shaft 104 supported at itslower end in a journal bearing 105 and at its upper end in a journalbearing 106 and provided at its upper end with a ball bearing thrustcollar 107 arranged to prevent downward longitudinal movement. A nut 108screw threaded to the screw shaft 104 is mounted in the cross head 101in such manner that when said shaft is rotated the cross head will bemoved longitudinally of the guide rail 103 to move the strut 12 upwardlyor downwardly to cause rotation of the conveyor frame 5 about its pivotshaft 7. At the lower end of the shaft 104 is fixed a bevel gear 109which is simultaneously engaged by two oppositely disposed bevel pinions110 and 111 mounted upon a cross shaft 112. The cross shaft 112 isjournaled at one end in a bearing 113 fixed to the side sills of thetruck frame, and at the other end is journaled in a sleeve 114 arrangedin fixed longitudinal relation with the shaft and screw threaded in abearing 115 attached to the side sills of the truck frame, in suchmanner that rotation of the sleeve 114 will produce longitudinalmovement of the shaft 112. A hand lever 116 attached to the sleeve 114affords means for manipulating said sleeve. The pinions 110 and 111 areheld in operative relation with the bevel gear 109 by a journal bearing117 fixed to the frame of the machine. Multiple disk friction clutches118 and 119 are arranged upon the shaft 112 adjacent to the pinions 11-0and 111 in such manner that longitudinal movement of the shaft in onedirection will cause the engagement of the clutch 115 to drive thepinion 110 to rotate the screw shaft 104 in one direction, and movementof the shaft in the opposite -118 or 119 to rotate the screw shaft 104in either preferred direction to cause upward or downward adjustment ofthe conveyor, or, the shaft 112 may be placed in the central neutralposition to allow the screw shaft 104 to remain stationary. As the pitchof the threads upon the screw shaft 104 is such that the weight of theconveyor frame upon the nut 108 will not cause rotation of the shaft104, the conveyor will be automaticall locked in the preferred positionof ad ustment.

It will be seen that the arrangement of strut 12 and guide or track 103is such that with the rollers 102 resting upon the trackway all dangerof distorting the screw by the downward thrust of the weight of thecarrier frame is eliminated, this guide or inclined track-way 103serving to take up such downward thrust and relieve the screw 104 frombendin strains.

In my co-pen ing application Serial No. 431,006 of even date herewith Ihave disclosed a portable sectional warehouse conveyor adapted to usewith my improved stacking machine, and in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7 of thisapplication I have illustrated the method of connecting these machinesto form a system of transportation adapted to the requirements of moderndocks and warehouses. Attached to the forward end of the conveyor frame4 are castings 123 containing the journal bearings 124 and 125 in whichare supported the parallel transverse shafts 126 and 127. The shaft 126is the foot shaft of the conveyor and carries the foot sprocket wheelswhich engage and are driven by the conveyor chains 1. As thisarrangement of sprocket wheels is well understood in the conveyor artits illustration is not thought to be required at this time. Means isprovided in the adjustment screws 128 to move the castings 123longitudinally of the conveyor frame to effect adjustment of the tensionof the conveyor chains in the manner common in conveyor practice. Theshaft 127 is an idler shaft and carries an idler gear 129 which mesheswith the gear 130 fixed to the foot shaft 126 and constitutes a drivingconnection by which power may be transmitted from the motor of thestacking machine to drive the sectional conveyor above referred to. Atthe aeeaaas rearward end of the conveyor frame 5 are side plates 131 towhich are secured journal bearings 132 of the head shaft 133. To thehead shaft 133 are attached sprocket wheels which engage and are drivenby the conveyor chains, and upon the projected end of said shaft isiixed a spur gear 134 similar to the gear 130 of the foot shaft. Theside plates 131 extend beyond the journal bearings 132 and have notches135 adapted to engage the idler shaft 136 upon the adjacent end of asection 137 of the ortable conveyon above referred to, to maintain theparts in operative relation. Upon the idler shaft 136 and foot shaft 138of the portable conveyor section 137 are spur gears 139 and 140, similar to the gears 129 and 130 at the foot shaft of the stacking machineconveyor, adapted to engage with the spur gear 134 upon the head shaft133 to drive the portable conveyor 137. As the corresponding ends of theportable conveyor sections and of the stacking machine are of similarconstruction it is apparent that these sections may be connected in alarge variety of combinations to adapt the machine to a wide range ofservice and afford a complete system of transportation adapted to therequirements of modern docks and warehouses.

What I claim is- 1. In a machine of the class described, the combinationof a wheeled truck, a motor on said truck, a conveyor frame pivotallymounted on said support above said motor, means for adjusting said frameangularly, a second conve or frame pivotally mounted on said truck a ovesaid motor adjacent the pivotal mounting of said first named frame,motor driven means for angularly adjusting said second frame, a singleconveyor traversing said frames, a single driving element engaging saidconveyor between the pivotal mountings of said frames, and drivingconnections from said motor to said conveyor driving means.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a wheeledtruck, a motor on said truck, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on saidtruck above said motor, means for adjusting said frame angularly, asecond conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said truck above said motorand adjacent the pivotal mounting of said first named frame, a singleconveyor traversing said frames, a single driving means engaging asection of said conveyor between the pivotal points of said frames, anddriving connections between said motor and said conveyor driving means.

3'. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, amotor on said support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on saidsupport in operative relation to said motor, means for adjusting saidframe angularly, a second conveyor frame pivotally mounted on saidsupport in operative relation to said motor and adjacent the pivotal.mounting of said first named frame, means for angularly adjusting saidsecond frame, a single conveyor traversing said frames, driving meansengaging; a section of said conveyor between the pivotal mountings ofsaid frame, driving connections from said motor to said conveyor drivingmeans, and manually controlled reversing mechanism to effect travel ofsaid conveyor in either direction.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, amotor on said support, a supporting frame carried by said support anddisposed above said motor, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on saidsupportin frame, means for adjusting said conveyor rame angularly, asecond conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said supportlng frameadjacent thepivota-l mounting of said first named conveyor frame, asingle conveyor traversing said frames, driving means mounted in saidsupporting frame and en gaging a section of said conveyor between thepivotal mountings of said conveyor frames, driving connections betweensaid conveyor driving means and said motor, and manually controlledreversing means to (ffect travel of said conveyor in either direction.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, amotor upon said support, a conveyor supporting frame rising from saidsupport and disposed above said motor, a conveyor frame piv0tal-=' lymounted on said supporting frame, means for angularly adjusting saidconveyor frame, a second conveyor frame pivotally mounted on saidsupporting frame adjacent the pivotal mounting of said first namedframe, means for angularly adjusting said second conveyor frame, asingle conveyor traversing said frame, conveyor supporting idlersmounted in said supporting frame in proximity to the pivotal mountingsof the said conveyor frames, and a driving sprocket engaging saidconveyor between said idlers, and driving connections from said motor tosaid driving sprocket.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, aconveyor frame pivotally mounted thereon, means for adjusting said frameangularly, a second conveyor frame pivotally mounted on .said support inoperative relation to said first named conveyor, means for adjustingsaid second frame angularly, a single conveyor traversing said support,and driving means engaging a section of said conveyor between thepivotal mountings of said frames.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, anangularly adjustable conveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support, asecond angularly adjustable conveyor frame pivotally mounted on saidsupport adjacent the pivotal mounting of said first named frame, asingle conveyor supporting idlers mounted in said support below thepivotal mountings of said conveyor frames, and drivin means engaging ade pending bight of said conveyor between said idlers.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, amotor mounted on said support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted onsaid support, a strut pivotally connected at one end to said conveyorframe,

a track-way on said support for the lower end of said strut forsupporting said frame,-

and motor driven means engaging said strut to drive along said track-wayfor elevating or lowering said conveyor frame.

9. In amachine of the class described, the combination with a support, amotor mounted thereon, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on saidsupport, a strut pivotally connected at one end with said conveyorframe, an inclined track-way on said conveyor for the lower end of saidstrut for supporting said frame, and motor driven means disposedsubstantially parallel with said track-way engaging the lower end ofsaid strut to drive it along the said track-way and elevate or lowersaid conveyor.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a sup ort, amotor on said support, a conveyor rame pivoted on said support, a strutpivotally connected at one end with said conveyor frame an inclinedtrack-wa mounted on said support upon which t e lower end of said strutfor supporting said frame travels, and a motor driven screw disposedparallel to said inclined track-way and engaging the lower end of saidstrut to drive it along said track-way and elevate or lower saidconveyor frame.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, aconveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support, a strut pivotallconnected at one end with said conveyor rame, an inclined track-way onsaid support, a track-way engaging wheel at the lower end of said strut,a rotatably mounted nut at the lower end of said strut, and a motordriven screw disposed parallel to said track-way engaging said rotatablenut to drive the lower end of the strut along said track-way and elevateor lower said conveyor frame.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, amotor mounted thereon, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on saidsupport, means for angularly adjusting said conveyor frame, a secondconveyor frame pivotally mounted on said sup ort adjacent the pivotalmounting of said rst named frame, conveying means traversing saidframes, driving connections between said motor and said conveying means,aconveyor frame coupled to the end of one of said conveyor frames, aconveyor on said last named frame, and driving connections between thefirst named conveyor and the conveyor on said last mentioned frame.

13. In a machine of the class-described, the combination with a.supporting frame, of an elongated conveyor frame pivotally attached tosaid supporting frame for movement about a horizontal axis, a strutpivotally connected to said conveyor frame, a cross head on said strutadapted to engage uideways on said frame for supporting said conveyorframe, and means to move said cross head longitudinally of said guidwaysto effect pivotal movement of said conveyor frame about said axis.

1a. In a machine of the class described, the combination with asupporting frame, of an elongated conveyor frame.'pivotally attached'tosaid supporting frame for movement on a horizontal axis, a pair of inclined trackways on said supporting frame, a strut pivotally connectedto said conveyor frame, a cross-head on said strut, trackway engagingwheels mounted on said cross head and engaging said trackways, and meansto move said cross head longitudinally of said guideways to effect.pivotal movement of said conveyor frame about said axis.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination with asupporting frame, of an elongated conveyor frame ivotally attached tosaid supporting frame fbr movement about a horizontal axis, a strutpivotally connected to said conveyor frame, means to swing said strutabout said pivotal connection, and a trackway upon the supporting frameto confine the outer end of said strut to a-predetermined path of travelandt upon which said strut rests for suppor 16. In a machine .of theclass described,

the combination of a support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on saidsu port, a strut pivotally connected with said rame at a point removedfrom its pivotal mounting, means engaging the free end of said strut toraise and lower said frame, and means independent of said raising andlowering means engaging the end of said strut to relieve said raisingand lowering means from transverse strains.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, aconveyor frame pivotally mounted thereon, a second conveyor framepivotally mounted on said support, a single conveyor traversing saidconveyor frames, driving means engaging said conveyor and including adriven element, a reversing mechanism including a drive element, a yokepivotally mounted on the axis of said drive element, a plurality ofdriven members having their axes mounted directly in said yoke forselective engagement with said driven element, and one of said pluralityof driven members being permanently engaged by said drive element.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support,an angularly adjustable conveyor frame pivotally mounted on saidsupport, a second angularly adjustable conveyor frame pivotally mountedon said support adjacent the pivotal mounting of said first named frame,a single conveyor traversing said conveyor frames, driving meansengaging said conveyor between the pivotal mountings of said frames, andmeans for retaining the conveyor in engagement with said driving meansregardless of the angular adjustment of said conveyor frames and withouttensioning said conveyor.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, amotor mounted on said support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted onsaid support, a strut pivotally connected at one end to said conveyorframe, a trackway on said support for the lower end of said strut forsupporting said conveyor frame, driving connections from said motor tosaid strut for moving it along said trackway and including a drivenelement, and a reversing mechanism including drive elements mounted forOSCII? lation for selective engagement with said driven element.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, amotor upon said support, a conveyor frame pivotally mounted on saidsupport, means for angularly adjusting said conveyor frame, a secondconveyor frame pivotally mounted on said support adjacent the pivotalmounting of said first named frame, means for angularly adjusting saidsecond conveyor frame, a single conveyor traversing said frames,conveyor supporting idlers mounted on said support in proximity to thepivotal mountings of said conveyor frames, and driving means engagingsaid conveyor between said idlers, and driving connections from saidmotor to said driving means.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM K. LIGGETT.

